Weather Blog: Super soaker, rain drenches area

Thank you for stopping by the Weather Watch 12 Blog! Drenching rains took aim at southeast Wisconsin leaving more swollen rivers and super soaked soils. In today's blog we look at rain totals, when the rain changes to a few snowflakes, and finally when sunshine returns to the forecast.

Let's start with rain totals through 10am Thursday. This is when the steady rain exited southeast Wisconsin. The highest totals lined up near the Wisconsin and Illinois border. Pleasant Prairie topping the list at 3.60", with Waukesha and Milwaukee both around or just over 2.50". Totals dropped off sharply north of Milwaukee county with Sheboygan finishing near 1".

The April rain total in Milwaukee of 6.88" is quickly approaching the all-time monthly record. The record is 7.31" set in 1973.

The heavy rain has prompted flood warnings for already swollen rivers across the area. The counties shaded in green below have rivers that are forecast to exceed flood stage. Rivers impacted are Sheboygan, Milwaukee, Rock, Crawfish, Root, and Fox.

A few rain showers are still possible into Thursday evening, but the threat for heavy rain has now shifted east. Futurecast below at 9pm Thursday shows snow over western Wisconsin and much of Minnesota. Outside of a few sprinkles or flurries in southeast Wisconsin, the focus will shift to clouds and chilly temperatures for Friday.

Colder temperatures drift into southern Wisconsin to close the work week. Gusty west winds top 30mph at times on Friday, with temperatures only reaching the low 40s in many backyards. The Future Temps map below is valid at 3pm Friday. Keep in mind the average high for Milwaukee on Friday is 55 degrees.

Better news for the weekend forecast, it starts with some sunshine, although temperatures stay cool with highs in the 40s for Saturday.

For the latest weather information watch WISN 12 News, and for updates throughout the day follow me on Twitter @jnelsonweather

Have a great day!

Jeremy Nelson

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